SHIELD: SHIELD (Solar-powered Hydraulic Infrastructure for Enhanced Lighting and Disinfection) in Sitio Camachile, Nabuclod, Floridablanca, Pampanga

The project SHIELD (Solar-Powered Hydraulic Infrastructure for Enhanced Lighting and Disinfection) project was developed to enhance water safety and accessibility in Sitio Camachile, Nabuclod, Floridablanca, Pampanga. The existing hydraulic ram pump system provides filtered water but failed to meet microbial safety standards as it was assessed containing high levels of Total Coliform and the presence of Escherichia coli. This study aimed to integrate ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and solar-powered lighting into the existing water infrastructure. The design involved calculating energy requirements, system efficiency, installing a photovoltaic system, and utilizing UV lights to neutralize waterborne pathogens. More so, various laboratory tests were conducted before and after the installation which showed that microbial levels dropped within the acceptable range for drinking water. Post-experiment water tests showed significant improvements, E. coli levels dropped from >8.0 MPN/100mL to 2.6 MPN/100mL. Total Coliform was reduced to <1.1 MPN/100mL, meeting potable water standards. A 240W solar panel successfully powered the 750 Wh/day energy load for both UV Light and Street Light. The project demonstrates a sustainable model for clean water access and supports multiple SDGs including clean water, energy, innovation, and equality. It is recommended to expand the SHIELD system to other stations and add battery storage to improve resilience during low sunlight and support long-term, community-based maintenance.